Rights and Responsibilities

You have basic rights including: 

• Having a safe place to live
• Access to food, housing, clothing, and healthcare 
• Choosing who is a part of your life and being able to contact them (friends, family, medical professionals) 
• Keeping and controlling your own belongings 
• Being free from abuse and neglect and free to report these harms without getting in trouble 
• Civil Rights, including the right to get married, own property, vote, have kids, and express and engage in your religious beliefs 

You have the right to make choices about what you need including: 

• Saying yes or no to treatment 
• Picking who is going to support you (PSW, Provider Agency, Personal Agent, Employment Provider, etc.) 
• Being included in decision making and have your opinion respected even with a guardian in place 
• Accepting or declining services 
• Getting services that promote independence, health and dignity, that reflect your age, culture, and preferences, and that are least intrusive to you 
• Choosing which services, you have and how they are provided 

You have the right to understand and control your services including: 

• A written plan for services created through a person-centered process 
• Participating in planning services that fit your needs 
• Requesting a change in your plan for services 
• Receiving a written notice if your services are being decreased, ending, or a service you requested is being denied 
• Asking for an exception to current disability service limits  

You have the freedom to use all your rights without any form of punishment and make a complaint if you are not happy with your services.